Elongated elastomeric parts and mandrels for facilitating removal of elongated elastomeric parts formed thereon

Abstract

A mandrel configured to facilitate release of an elastomeric part cured thereon may comprise an elongated body having an outer surface, an internal cavity formed in the elongated body, and a passage providing fluid communication between the internal cavity and the outer surface of the body. The passage may be dimensioned so as to permit a flow of a fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface of the body and to preclude a flow of an uncured elastomer into the passage. The flow of the fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface may cause the fluid to intervene between the outer surface of the mandrel and the elastomeric part to facilitate the release of the elastomeric part from the mandrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming an elastomeric part, comprising:
 disposing an uncured elastomer on a mandrel, the mandrel including an elongated body having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein, the mandrel further including a channel formed in the outer surface and extending lengthwise along the outer surface, and an extrusion fit into the channel to provide an interference fit between the channel and the extrusion, the interference fit defining a passage providing fluid communication between the internal cavity and the outer surface of the body, the passage being dimensioned so as to permit a flow of a fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface of the body; 
 curing the uncured elastomer disposed on the mandrel to provide the elastomeric part; and 
 flowing the fluid through the internal cavity to cause the fluid to flow out of the passage and intervene between the outer surface of the mandrel and the elastomeric part to facilitate release of the elastomeric part from the mandrel. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a solution of soap and water. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elastomeric part is at least about ten feet long, has a transverse height of between about one inch and about three inches, and a wall thickness of between about 0.05 and about 0.20 inches. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the elastomeric part is formed from a fluoropolymer elastomer. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the elastomeric part is reinforced with fiberglass. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises applying one or more layers of reinforcing material to the uncured elastomer prior to curing the uncured elastomer. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the channel includes a wide region and a narrow region that extends deeper into the mandrel than the wide region, wherein the extrusion is fit into the wide region, and wherein the narrow region defines the internal cavity when the extrusion is fit into the wide region of the channel. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the extrusion is fit into the wide region using a thermal/press fit application. 
     
     
       9. A mandrel configured to facilitate release of an elastomeric part cured thereon, comprising:
 an elongated body having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein; 
 a channel formed in the outer surface and extending lengthwise along the outer surface; and 
 an extrusion fit into the channel to provide an interference fit between the channel and the extrusion, the interference fit defining a passage providing fluid communication between the internal cavity and the outer surface of the body, the passage being dimensioned so as to permit a flow of a fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface of the body, the flow of the fluid from the internal cavity to the outer surface causing the fluid to intervene between the outer surface of the mandrel and the elastomeric part to facilitate the release of the elastomeric part from the mandrel. 
 
     
     
       10. The mandrel of  claim 9 , wherein
 the channel includes a wide region and a narrow region that extends deeper into the mandrel than the wide region, and wherein the extrusion is fit into the wide region. 
 
     
     
       11. The mandrel of  claim 10 , wherein the narrow region defines the internal cavity when the extrusion is fit into the wide region of the channel. 
     
     
       12. The mandrel of  claim 11 , wherein the mandrel includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the internal cavity extends lengthwise through the mandrel from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       13. The mandrel of  claim 12 , wherein the elastomeric part includes an open end and a closed end covering the second end of the mandrel such that the internal cavity is exposed at the first end of the mandrel, and wherein the internal cavity is configured to release a vacuum between the closed end of the elastomeric part and the mandrel. 
     
     
       14. The mandrel of  claim 11 , wherein the mandrel and the extrusion have matching coefficients of thermal expansion. 
     
     
       15. The mandrel of  claim 14 , wherein the mandrel and the extrusion are both formed from an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
       16. The mandrel of  claim 14 , wherein the extrusion is fit into the wide region by a thermal/press fit application comprising:
 heating the mandrel to cause thermal expansion of the wide region, while holding the extrusion at ambient temperature; 
 press-fitting the extrusion into the wide region; and 
 allowing the mandrel to cool so that the wide region thermally contracts and retains the extrusion. 
 
     
     
       17. The mandrel of  claim 14 , wherein the extrusion is machined flush with the outer surface of the mandrel. 
     
     
       18. A mandrel configured to facilitate the release of an elastomeric part cured thereon, comprising:
 an elongated body having an outer surface; 
 a channel extending lengthwise along the outer surface of the elongated body and having a T-shape in cross-section, the channel including both a wide region and a narrow region extending deeper into the mandrel than the wide region; and 
 an extrusion fit into the wide region such that the narrow region defines an internal cavity extending lengthwise through the mandrel, the extrusion sealing the channel except to permit fluid flow between the internal cavity and the outer surface of the mandrel, the fluid flow from the internal cavity to the outer surface facilitating the release of the elastomeric part from the mandrel.